Blog

Beaming, Inc. and Fox Valley Memory Project Partner to Offer a Unique Equine Experience

On November 2nd, friends of Fox Valley Memory Project will have the opportunity to interact with, learn from, groom, feed, and have a photo with friendly therapy horses at Beaming, Inc in Neenah. Thank you to Walt Zerrenner for sponsoring the chance to get up close and personal with horses!   You can find the full information for this event here. Please call or e-mail the contacts provided to register as space is limited for the event. If you have […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/beaming-inc-and-fox-valley-memory-project-partner-to-offer-a-unique-equine-experience/

What Good Does It Do To Talk About It?

Focus on Caregivers Sharing Their Experience Every person experiencing memory loss is a unique human being. Every family caregiver for a person with memory loss is a unique human being. Memory loss plays out differently for each person. Caregiving is unique to each person involved. As I have worked with families, I am completely convinced of the richness and value in what you have to say about your unique experiences. Caregiving is an ongoing journey that you would not have […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/what-good-does-it-do-to-talk-about-it/

Understanding

I recently came across this quote: “If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.”  -Marvin J. Aston I have a copy of this quote on the door of my office and on my computer as a reminder for me each day at the clinic. I have decided to also put it on the Fox […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/understanding/

Mike Rohrkaste is new executive director of Fox Valley Memory Project

Fox Valley Memory Project (FVMP) has selected Mike Rohrkaste of Neenah as its new full-time executive director, effective July 1. In his new role, Rohrkaste will oversee various FVMP programs that help people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia live positively and stay engaged with their communities. These programs include: Nine monthly Memory Cafés in seven locations across the Fox Valley Purple Angel Dementia Awareness program to train local businesses how to best serve people with memory loss The […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/mike-rohrkaste-is-new-executive-director-of-fox-valley-memory-project/

Art Viewing and Art Making

People living with dementia in the Fox Valley enjoy regular opportunities to look at art and make art. For example, many Fox Valley Memory Project memory café gatherings include some kind of active engagement with the arts.   In addition, we have two SPARK programs in the Fox Valley that offer monthly experiences of art viewing and art making at the Building for Kids and the Trout Museum of Art. Also, you should know that if you travel to different […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/art-viewing-and-art-making/

Holding Onto Dignity With Dementia

One of the biggest challenges for people with dementia is retaining a sense of identity and meaning in life. How do people do this when they lose the ability to learn and retain new information, are confused about time and place, and have to rely on others to do things they once did independently? Researchers in the Netherlands conducted interviews with 14 people having mild to moderate dementia in order to answer this question. Personal dignity reflects people’s sense of […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/holding-onto-dignity-with-dementia/

The Healing Power of the Arts

One of the strengths of the Fox Valley Memory Project (FVMP) is its commitment to giving people living with dementia and their care partners opportunities for arts engagement. This includes people still living in their homes, as well as those who have moved to residential care. Since we began, the FVMP has sponsored annual community events to showcase various forms of creativity. We began with a Poetry Party with Alzheimer Poetry Project founder, Gary Glazner (http://www.alzpoetry.com/). Gary has an international […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/the-healing-power-of-the-arts/

What Does the Decline in Dementia Prevalence Really Mean?

A new study of over 21,000 Americans age 65 and older has shown that the prevalence of dementia declined significantly between 2000 and 2012. This sounds like good news—and it is—but you need to dig a bit deeper into the study to see what’s really going on.  All the participants in this research are enrolled in a huge study of older adults in the United States called the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Beginning in 1992, researchers at the University […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/what-does-the-decline-in-dementia-prevalence-really-mean/

Group Singing Creates Joy!

A recent study published in one of the top gerontology journals confirms what many people in the Fox Valley have already learned: group singing has many benefits for people with dementia and their care partners. Researchers in England interviewed seventeen couples who participated in a variety of types of singing groups. Everyone agreed that the group singing experiences were joyful and accessible. Before describing how they conducted the research and analyzed the results, the researchers began bystating, “The majority of […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/group-singing-creates-joy/

Driving Safely: Does Your Doctor Know Best?

One of the most robust findings about aging is that as we get older, we slow down not only in our motor responses, but also in the time it takes us to make decisions. This is especially true in situations (like roundabouts!) where a lot of information needs to be processed quickly. All of us know older people who have changed their driving habits because they no longer see well at night, or they no longer feel confident on crowded […] https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/driving-safely-does-your-doctor-know-best/